Voting history:
1996: #4
1997: #3
2000: #8
The sanctioned volkssport self-guided walk will not be held in 2001, but should be back May 1 - September 30, 2002. The start was at the Devils Tower Trading Post, located immediately outside the National Monument entrance. The Trading Post is open 7 am - 10 pm. Walk only during daylight hours. You must pay the National Parks fee to enter the monument. You can still enjoy the trail unsanctioned during 2001, it is a blend of the 3 trails listed on the Devils Tower National Monumentsite.
The 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) walk circles the base of this ancient monolith. It is the 865-foot high throat of an ancient volcano, revealed by erosion of the surrounding plain. The columnar basalt looks carved - either by the claws of a giant bear as in native legend, or by the fork of Richard Dreyfus in his potatoes in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
When doing it yourself, first enjoy the Tower Trail is only a short 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to circle the base. This is a sacred area for Native Americans and a favorite pitch for rock climbers. It was designated the USA's first National Monument by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906.
Next, enjoy the Joyner Ridge and Red Beds trails to see meadows, forest and sandstone cliffs. Along the way you can enjoy the local plants and animals - including the prairie dogs. If you haven't watched a prairie dog town, you will find yourself entranced by these playful critters.
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